FEBRUARY 7 — Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s remarks posted on his Facebook calling Malay consumers to boycott Chinese traders have triggered protests and criticisms from ruling and alternative coalitions, as well as Chinese organisations.
Many from the MCA, Gerakan and the DAP have even lodged police reports, accusing Sabri’s remarks of containing public incitement and racial hatred intention.
The Chinese community felt that they have been treated unfairly and hoped that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak could come forward and speak for justice.
However, after a Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister only indifferently asked everyone to stop the dispute, opining that if such kind of dispute that could lead to racial split continues, it will only hurt all.
We agree that racial dispute should be moderate to avoid the expansion of harm. We also agree that strict actions should be taken against profiteering businesses, regardless of race.
However, the Cabinet meeting did not mention even a single word to condemn the storm initiator who made the boycott call, nor did it require him to apologise to the Chinese community hurt by the remarks. It was very disappointing, and regretful.
Even though the Prime Minister’s instruction has been followed and everyone turns silent over the boycott call, the fragile and sensitive racial relations have been hurt. Sabri’s inappropriate remarks have even triggered mutual accusations between Umno and MCA members.
The unusual phenomenon has also reflected serious differences between Malays and the Chinese, showing the existence of racial polarisation problem.
Sabri insists on not apologising even though there are cracks in racial relations, as he is backed by many ministers, including Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, and 92 Umno division chiefs.
Although the 92 division chiefs are not even half of the total 191 Umno division chiefs nationwide, the great number of division chiefs supporting Sabri’s inappropriate remarks has shown that the foundation of the 1Malaysia spirit promoted by Najib is extremely weak.
The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister may take legal actions, if he is not happy with traders who refuse to reduce prices, to safeguard the rights and interests of consumers of all races. Calling a racial group to boycott another racial group is apparently a move of inciting racial antagonism.
The 92 Umno division chiefs and a number of ministers blindly back him and even relate the MCA to the DAP, showing that Malaysians lack the concept of right and wrong. It is dangerous for a multi-racial country.
Only former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has told the truth, saying that rising prices have nothing to do with race while describing the boycott call of Sabri as a negative way to due with rising prices.
The boycott call will not help in relieving economic pressure on consumers, but will instead add discord sentiment to the country.
Similarly, the Prime Minister asked all to keep silent can only stop the dispute from expanding on the surface, but not remove the seed of racism.
If we let someone who made racist remarks that harm racial harmony cover his fault with various reasons this time, how are we going to stop other politicians from using racial issues to gain political capital in the future?
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
